Day 4 - Daegu

Photo with the professors and students of YNC

"Today we visited the Yeungnam College of Science Technology (YNC), where it educates students to actively participate in the industrial development of their country. It was founded in 1968 by the late President, Mr Park Jeong-hee. 

I was astounded by their views on mechatronics as they placed high priority in this course. As a mechatronics and robotics student in Singapore Polytechnic, they inspired me to pursue this interesting and innovative area of advanced technology. 

We were brought into their mechatronics lab to view their control system which was activated by its pneumatic system and programmable logic control. It's pretty much similar to the one back in Singapore Polytechnic but the designs were far more sophisticated. Maybe, it is because they had more space to build and design this system. 

Seeing the Koreans demonstrate this system made me realised the importance of knowing how to operate that particular system, and not many people know this valuable knowledge. It made me feel glad that I had chosen this unique course to study at Singapore Polytechnic. I'm pretty sure that with the fast advancement of technology, Singapore will grasp the concept of mechatronics and use it to shape our country's future.

Vivien with her team members

We also interacted with the Korean students to design and build a catapult system as part of a traditional game called "yut". It was tough to communicate with the Korean students as they only spoke Korean while we only spoke English. Yet we overcame this language barrier with "google translate" and made friends with them. 

It was a fun and enriching trip to the Yeungnam College of Science & Technology as I've learnt to make friends with someone from different country and culture. It also motivated me to learn the Korean language."

Vivian, DMRO/3A/01

Carine (second from left) with her team members

"I feel very honoured to be able to participate in this educational study trip and I have always wanted to visit South Korea. During the trip to YNC, I made new local friends. Although there was a language barrier amongst us, the Korean students were very friendly and patient towards us. They even made time for us and brought us shopping.

Lastly, the weather was very cooling. I love it very much and I will come back again".

Carine, DCPE/3B/25

"This has been the most happening day of this Korean trip. My group mates and I had a really good time with the students from YNC. Even though some could speak very little English, we still managed to interact well with them and built a successful catapult.

Rakesh (second from left) with his team mates

We were united again at dinner and shopping. One thing I learnt about Korean people during the night reunion was that they are pretty patient people, often putting others before themselves. On one instance, I was hunting for this clothing outlet called "Hollister". My Korean mate patiently brought me around the streets and finally we found the shop and I made my purchases. We then headed for some cheese "toppokii" dinner and dessert at da Vinci coffee. After that, they put us on a taxi and we bid farewell. It was an eventful experience".

Rakesh, DARE/2A/03

Actual burnt train in the background

Briefing by Mr Kim on what to do in a subway fire emergency

"Third day in South Korea. How fast time flies when we are having fun! We have just finished visiting Daegu Safety Park hosted by Mr Kim.

Inside the safety park, we watched a heart wrenching video of a subway accident that happened in Daegu where close to 200 people died and over 150 people injured. After this incident, the people realised that they were not prepared for such eventualities. Hence, the need and opening of the Safety Park.

We also went through a mock emergency test inside the train to have a feel and to better understand what we must do during an emergency. I personally felt that this is a good experience and Singapore should implement a safety park to allow Singaporeans to have better preparedness as we can never predict what and when an emergency might occur".

Daphne, DCPE/3B/25

Day 3 - Incheon, Yesan & Daegu

Today we visited KBS Drama Centre and Hyundai Steel. Thereafter, we took the KTX (bullet train) from Daejeon to Daegu. The top speed reached was slightly over 300 km per hour.

Photo taken on the "King's Dream" set, KBS Drama Centre

"We went to Hyundai Steel and learnt about what the company does and how everything works through a video screening. We also went for a tour of the steel mill and I had the opportunity to see how steel is manufactured in huge masses for the first time. It was really a fascinating and rather complex process! I also got to feel the high temperature of the steel when it was being pressed. I could literally feel the strong heat on my face during the process. 

Photo with Ms Kim at Hyundai Steel

The tour guide was clear in explaining the details of the various manufacturing processes and I now have a better understanding of steel manufacturing. This experience is something that cannot be bought anywhere. I am so glad I went for this trip as the things learnt is really beyond things you read in a textbook!"

Josiah, DME/1A/07

Cabin view of KTX

Day 2 - Incheon & Goyang

This morning we went to Imjingak Park and Mt Dora Observatory, in the De-Militarised Zone (DMZ), to know more about the issues surrounding the division between North Korea and South Korea. 

In the afternoon, we visited the Korea Aerospace University to look at their facilities and to know more about the International Summer Programme.

Appended below are reflections by our students about the people they met and the places we visited. We hope you will enjoy their personal journals.

DMZ gate (shortest pathway between the North & South)

A view of the "Freedom Bridge" & the railway connecting North and South

"We went to the DMZ in an area somewhere around Paju. Imjingak was the first place that we went to. Over there, we saw the "freedom " bridge which connects the south to the north and got a glimpse of North Korea on the other side like. It was rather tragic to hear the history of the Korean War , how families got separated during the war and are still searching for their family members in the north. After Mt Dora Observatory, we went to a North Korean Museum and got a feel of what it was like living in the North. It was sad to see how hard and primitive those citizens lives are and how their leaders are not doing much to improve the welfare of their people. It made me have a better understanding of what it really meant to appreciate whatever you have now and not take anything for granted."

Andrew, DME/3B/23

"This educational trip with the school is a eye opening for many of us. Even though this is the second day only, we were brought to places such as the DMZ to understand the North Korea and South Korea history of war and what exactly happened between the two countries. We went to KAU (Korea Aerospace University) which talks about the summer training program that SP is interested to send their students over for the 2013 batch. I personally feel the summer program is great as it give a whole new exposure to student going as different races and different countries people. The people in Korea are nice and they are very friendly, they are very respectful and bow when we greet them. I am very happy that I am on this trip as a final-year student and this exposure is really a great experience for me."

Shawn, DCPE/3B/25

"It is only my second day in Korea and I have already fallen in love with this place. The food is spectacularly good and the weather is perfect. The citizens are friendly, even treating us like family! I admire how Koreans have a certain pride in their country and it shows in everything they do. National pride is something to think about. Are we, Singaporeans proud of who we are?"

Kimberley, DCEG/2B/21